North Collins capital project vote Tuesday

JACOB M. LESINSKI

OBSERVER Staff Writer

jlesinski@observertoday.com

NORTH COLLINS — A new capital project for district schools is up for a vote Tuesday. The project calls for heating and ventilation improvements to the elementary school with air conditioning added to classrooms, a new secure entrance at the elementary school, vestibule renovations at the Junior/Senior High School, auditorium improvements at the high school, upgrades in the consumer science area, and parking lot replacement.

Of the most important areas for improvement, Superintendent Scott J. Taylor said, “our four primary goals were health and safety welfare, facility infrastructure, educational space improvements, and sight improvements.”

So far, the community seems rather receptive of the new updates. “The community response has been good,” says Taylor, “there’s been lots of discussion at board meetings.” The estimated cost of the project is $10.38 million, which will be covered entirely by state building aid and capital reserve. “There will be no tax impact,” Taylor stated, “our goal was to avoid that and we accomplished it.”

In line with the four primary goals set, safety in schools remains a constant theme throughout the project. “We’re taking care of things we can identify from past inspections,” said Taylor, “hopefully with a successful budget we can keep up with these investments.” With this rock steady foundation in place, the project appears more than ready for a public response.

The vote will take place from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Junior/Senior High School gym, 2045 School St. If district schools are closed due to bad weather, voting will take place the next day the school is open.